Sunday, 22 December 2013

Some words from Harrison our resident #DuskDubs DJ.....This week we happily welcome another Dusk Dubs resident, Original Gidman. Here from the conception, Gidman has already been within the foundations of the Dusk Dubs philosophy for many years prior to us even beginning it. His record collection, library of mixtapes, and all round knowledge of music can't be beaten. And his ethos of good music, regardless of genre, and positive vibes is what the Dusk Dubs family is built on. Not a day goes by that Gidman doesn’t msg me new music to check out…which when 80% of my day consists of listening to music, is some achievement. Not only do I listen to the music he recommends, but I take that music out and play it in my sets. I love that flow of knowledge and music that starts with him.

Myself, General Camel and the whole Dusk Dubs Family salute you Gids. We love your dedication to music, and we can't tell you how happy we are that (and this is said with maximum positivity and respect) you are such a musical nerd.
Big ups and respect always bruva!

As always, catch us most nights on twitter via #DuskDubs ... and feel free to get involved.

Below, are a few words from this week’s selector. As always, in true Gidman style, he has provided a little about each track. Well worth a read :

‘ For this volume I decided to take a #DuskDubs international excursion around the world, stopping off in the UK, Europe, USA, Jamaica and New Zealand….. Enjoy ‘

1. Om Unit – Ether (Terrorhythm)

Take from ‘The Corridor EP’ released back in 2010, this is one of Jim Coles aka Om Unit’s earliest releases. I can’t get enough of that Sci-Fi intro and Vangelis like synths alongside that driving bass heavy beat. Mr Coles has recently signed to Goldie’s Metalheadz label and released an amazing album on Civil Music – ‘Threads’… check it.

2. Urban Species - Predictably Unpredictable (Talkin’ Loud)

From the album ‘Blanket’ and released on Gilles Peterson’s infamous imprint Talkin’ Loud back in 1998. The outfit Urban Species were often grouped together with the likes of Massive Attack, Portishead and other Trip-Hop artists of the time. However, for me this track epitomises everything that is good about British Hip-Hop and with the enigmatic voice of Imogen Heap… oozing with “DuskDubs” vibe.

3. Guts – Skunkfunk (NOW Records)

Featured on Nightmare On Wax’s label compilation ‘Wax On Records’ in 2008 and produced by ‘Guts’ out of Paris, France, this track has that slo-mo funk running throughout and with a vocal hook to die for, will burrow its way into your sub-conscious…. No doubt !

4. Beanfield – Planetary Deadlock (Compost Records)

Staying in Europe, Beanfield hail from Germany and originally consisted of Jan Krause, Michael Mettke, Michael Reinboth and Tobias Meggle. Released back in 1996, this track featured on their self-titled album ‘Beanfield’. They soon became an influential production unit on the Compost Records rosta. Often sited alongside Faze Action, Fila Brazillia, and A Forest Mighty Black, these groups managed to merge organic sounds alongside a club/electronic ethos…. The result can be heard here….

5. Erykah Badu - The Healer (Motown)

Produced by Madlib aka The Beat Conductor back in 2007 and appearing on her 5th Studio album ‘New Amerykah: Part One (4th World War), this dubby ode to Hip-Hop is simply stunning in its sparse production and economical use of samples/instruments….. as Erykah says “This One Is For Dilla…..”

6. Thievery Corporation – 2001 Spliff Odyssey (ESL Music)

Staying in the US, the Thievery Corporation are made up of Rob Garza and Eric Hilton. Based in Washington, they have been producing a mix of Dub, Bossa Nova and Jazz to great acclaim since 1995. This track is from their debut album ‘Sounds from the Thievery Hi-Fi’ (1997) and is a classic example of their Dub/Reggae vibe which I love so much.

7. Moby – Go (In Dub Mix) (D:vision Records)

What can I say about this record….. Originally released back in 1991, with its haunting riff sampled from the TV series ‘Twin Peaks’, the original version became an oldschool/rave anthem. This 1992 version remixed by Jam & Spoon, a techno/trance outfit out of Germany, first came to my attention much later on a Nick Warren ‘Back To Mine’ Compilation. Since then, I cannot get enough of its slowed down dubby basslines whilst maintaining the original Twin Peak chords that we all love so much – an amazing remix that completely flips the script…..

8. King Tubby – Bag Of Wire Dub (Blood & Fire)

A classic example of 1970’s dub out of Jamaica. Produced by King Tubby aka ‘The Dub Master’, who influenced later producers such as Scientist and King Jammy. The King sprinkles his ‘dub’ magic over Johnny Clarke’s vocals and transforms this reggae classic into a skanking wall of reverb. Amazing stuff… all hail ‘The King’

9. Errol Dunkley - A Little Way Different (Arawak)

Originally produced back in 1978, this reggae standard composed by Errol Dunkley himself, would later feature heavily in D.R.S ‘s Jungle/Drum & Bass anthem ‘Everyman’ from 1994. It’s the lyrical content of the original that resonates with me, and I can only assume also resonated with DJ Kenny Ken over 15 years later. “Everyman do his ting a little way different”…exactly what #DuskDubs is all about…..

10. DJ Shadow / David Rodigan – Rodigan In A Perfect World (Mash Up)

This cheeky mash-up featuring a David Rodigan MBE on intro duties, leads us into DJ Shadow’s Midnight In A Perfect World (Gab Mix). This version released on the infamous Mo Wax record label back in 1996 features The Gift Of Gab on vocal duties. He delivers a nocturnal sermon alongside Shadow’s amazing beats – perfect for the#DuskDubs hour….

11. Marc Mac – See Him Smile (featuring Etta James) (ABB Soul)

One of the founding members of 4hero and forces behind Reinforced Records, Marc Mac is rightly championed in the Jungle/Drum & Bass scene. He is also a massive Soul/Funk/Jazz head and this is very apparent on his solo project ‘How About A Game Of Chess’, where he samples the back catalogue of ‘Chess Records’ – one of the premier Soul & Jazz record labels from the 1950’s & 1960’s. The ‘How About A Game Of Chess’ record was originally produced back in 2005 and for me, it is this track ‘See them Smile’ which is one of the highlights… haunting vocals over a rocking beat…. Quality.

12. Masters At Work ‎– Justa "Lil" Dope (Cutting Records)

Produced back in 1991 by Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez and Little Louie Vega, this track is a bonfide classic. To this day, it consistently crosses musical boundaries, dropped by House, Breaks, Techno and Oldschool DJ’s alike, which to me is a signature of a classic record. Famously sped up to 45RPM by DJ Fabio & Grooverider at their club Rage in the early 1990’s, this track became one of the building blocks of Jungle/Drum & Bass. Everything about this record I love, whether it’s the amazing breaks, the classic horn rift or the vocal samples…. Every home should have a copy.

13. Fat Freddy’s Drop – Bohannon (The Drop)

The one and only contemporary track featured in this #DuskDubs volume, is from New Zealand. Appearing on their 2013 album ‘Blackbird’, this instrumental oozes serious funk alongside an infectious beat. If you get a chance to see them live - do so, their amazing blend of Dub, Soul, Funk and Jazz has caught the attention of the world…..and they seriously know how to dub a tune out I’m telling ya…..

14. Maya Angelou with Burial & FourTet - On The Pulse Of A Moth (Mash-Up)

Another cheeky Mash Up, this time featuring the poem ‘On The Pulse Of A Morning’ by Maya Angelou which was read during the 1993 Presidential inauguration of Bill Clinton (later to be sampled by Mr Good Looking himself LTJ Bukem on the 1995 classic ‘Horizons’). This leads into Burial + Four Tet’s collaboration ‎ ‘Moth’ which was released on Four Tet’s label Text Records back in 2009. It’s a 4 to the floor eerie dubbed out house track, that the likes of only Burial can create …..Deep

15. Innerzone Orchestra - People Make The World Go Round (Planet E)

Produced back in 1999 in Detroit, by the don that is Mr. Carl Craig under his alias Innerzone Orchestra, this version of The Stylistics classic from 1971, brings this organic soul classic into the electronic age…..simply sublime.

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